Tool for tensioning a tape wrapped around an object and for connecting the ends of the tape and cutting off of the surplus

ABSTRACT

A tool is provided for tensioning a tape around an object, for connecting the ends of the tape and for cutting off the surplus, and the tool comprises a pivotal handlever engaging an element with a cutout which receives a pin on a drawing bar engaged with tape gripping and tensioning devices. An abutment limits displacement of the drawing bar so that as the handlever is alternately squeezed and released, the drawing bar is reciprocated and the tape is tensioned by the gripping and tensioning devices. When the tape tension reaches a predetermined value the pin on the drawing bar releases from the cutout under the tape tension and now the handlever is free to undergo further unlimited travel to actuate a locking device which connects the tape ends and thereafter a cutting device which severs the surplus tape beyond the connection.

United States Patent llll 3,610,296

[72] Inven r in Klbel 3,179,128 4/1965 Price l40/l23.6 Quickbomvcemlmy 3,332,454 7/1967 Lawson et al l40/93.2 [21] App 3,829 3.433375 3/1969 Eppler 140/932 [22] Filed Jan. 19, 1970 Primary Exammu- Lowell A. Larson [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 A h [73] Assign Paul Helkrmann Gmb" uorney-Waters, Rodin, Sc wartz & Nlssen Hamburg, Germany [32] Priority Apr. 17, 1969 [33] Germany [31] P19194724) [54] TOOL FOR TENSIONING A TAPE WRAPPED ABSTRACT: A tool is provided for tensioning a tape around AROUND AN OBJECT AND FOR CONNECTING an ob ect, for connecting the ends of the tape and for cutting THE ENDS OF THE TAPE AND CUTTING OFF off the surplus, and the tool comprises a pivotal handlever en- THE SURPLUS gaging an element with a cutout which receives a pin on a w Claims, 4 Drawing Figs dravvtng bar engaged w th tape gripping and tensiomng devices. An abutment llmllS displacement of the drawing bar 1 so that as the handlever is alternately squeezed and released, lo/I216 the drawing bar is reciprocated and the tape is tensioned by [Si] 111. CI i w 1 4 t i 1 4 t i v [he gripping and tgnsioning dcyiogg when the tape [gnsion Field Search reaches a predetermined value the pin on the drawing bar 12311 releases from the cutout under the tape tension and now the 56 R f i handlever is free to undergo further unlimited travel to actu- 1 e C M ate a locking device which connects the tape ends and UNITED STATES PATENTS thereafter a cutting device which severs the surplus tape 3,154,l 14 /1964 Bailey 140/149 beyond the connection.

44 6 A9 5 1/ 12 .42 31 3 z/ 9 2 @li o e t 7 r W. Hill 7 9 n1 M A 7 t 1 I61 To 0 'JFI JFHL PATENTEU GET 5 SHEET 1 [1F 2 FIG! PATENIEU 0m 5 1971 saw 2 OF 2 TOOL FOR 'IENSIONING A TAPE WRAPPED AROUND AN OBJECT AND FOR CONNECTING TI'IE ENDS OF THE TAPE AND CUTTING OFF OF THE SURPLUS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a tool for the tensioning of a tape wrapped around an object and for the connecting and cutting off of the tape ends, after a preset tension has been reached. The tool has a support for a lock connecting the tape ends, a device connected with the hand lever of the tool for gripping and tensioning the tape, and a cutting device which can be automatically operated by the hand lever when the tape tension exceeds a value set by the initial tension in a spring.

A tool is known in which the gripping device for the tensioning of the tape end is mounted on one arm of a tong, while the other arm carries the support for the lock and the cutting device, such cutting device then being coupled with the firstmentioned arm for carrying out the cutting operation when the tape tension exceeds a certain value. The cutting movement is brought about through the relative motion of the tongs arms and therefore is necessarily associated with a further tensioning movement which is disadvantageous.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tool of the type as described above in which the tensioning and cutting ofl' movements can be carried out completely separate from each other.

The tool according to the invention comprises a connection of the hand lever with the tensioning device by means of a coupling which engages above a certain force limit, and a stop is provided which restricts the movement of the hand lever to a first part of the total movement as long as the coupling is engaged, while the cutting device is effective only in the second part of the total range of movement of the hand lever.

With this arrangement the tensioning movement is restricted to the first part of the range of movement of the hand lever, while the cutting off movement can take place only in the second part of the range of movement of the tensioning lever. The transition of the hand lever from the first part to the second part of its possible range of movement is dependent on inoperativeness of the stop arising only when there is sufficient pull at the tensioning device. The tool also relieves the hand lever of tape tension during the cutting operation, and it also has the advantage that it permits a particularly simple construction, because the coupling devices between the hand lever and the tensioning device on the one hand and the cutting device on the other can be constructed in a very simple way.

The coupling advantageously comprises between the tensioning device and the hand lever an inclined surface at one part and at the other part a glider acting together with the inclined plane, a spring being provided which prevents the glider from slipping from the inclined surface under the influence of the tape tension as long as the desired tape tension has not been reached. The inclined surface is arranged at a certain angle to the vertical in the pulling direction of the tensioning device, so that the glider permanently tends to slip from the inclined surface, but is prevented from doing so as long as the force component causing its transverse movement is smaller than the spring tension. The force limit at which the tensioning device is disengaged thus depends on the inclination of the inclined surface with regard to the vertical to the pulling direction of the tensioning device, on the positive direction of the spring, and the initial tension in the spring. The force limit is suitably adjusted above the initial tension in the spring; but the other two factors of influence can also be used for this.

According to the invention, the inclined surface may be in the form of an edge cutout with an inclined flank on a movably supported part, for example, in the direction of movement of the tensioning device, into which cutout the glider which is connected with the tensioning device and designed as a roll or the like is urged by a spring. An edge is arranged next to the cutout on the side of the inclined flank extending generally in the tensioning direction, said edge being adapted to receive the glider after it has slipped from the cutout. This construc' tion has the advantage of simplicity, and that the force limit, at which the tensioning device is disengaged, is independent of the accidental direction of the hand lever.

On the one hand, the stop is advantageously provided at the tensioning device and on the other, on the tool body. The stop is so designed that a slipping out of the glider from the cutout below the stop force is not possible. This can, for example, be insured by providing the stop with a hook which prevents the relative motions of the inclined surface and the glider required for the disengagement of the tensioning device, or by giving the stop an inclined direction which is in correspondence with that of the inclined surface, so that in the interaction of stop and tensioning device, no force component can come into existence acting to disengage in the direction of the inclined surface.

The part carrying the edge cutout is suitably under the load of a spring which presses this part and the hand lever back into the normal position. Another spring can be provided which returns the tensioning device, after its disengagement. back to its normal position. In this case the tensioning device is combined with a stopping device preventing the return movement of the ten sioned tape.

When using locks, closed at will, for the connecting of the tape ends, the cutting device, according to the invention, is combined with an interlocking device. This is the case if the locks are not provided with stopping devices automatically preventing the return movement of the tensioned tape, but when, for example, after the tensioning of the tape a pin securing the tape and/or tape ends must be pushed through the lock and the tape end or tape ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. l to 4 are elevational views of the tool showing the same in different stages of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A tool body 1 is rigidly connected with a handle 2 which can be gripped together with a hand lever 4 supported at pivot 3 in the tool body. At the tool front end 5 of the body 1 a mounting is provided for a lock 6 which is adapted to connect the ends of a tape wrapped around a cable harness 7. A condition to such procedure is that one tape end is already firmly connected with the lock 6 so that the tool must tension only the free tape end 8 drawn through the lock, must secure it in the lock and then cut the excess tape off. The securing of the end of the tape in the lock is effected by means of a pin 9 provided at the lock. The pin is pushed through the lock 6 and the tape end 8 after the tensioning.

Behind the mounting support for the lock 6 is a known stopping device 10 for preventing return movement of the tape end 8 towards the lock 6. The stopping device I0 is attached to a lever 40 pivotably connected to the tool body. A similar stopping device It is mounted on the front end of a drawing bar I2, so that the free tape end can be easily inserted into both stopping devices. At its front end, the drawing bar 12 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the tool body and at the same time it is swivelably guided by means of a pin 13 attached to the drawing bar and engaged in a guide groove l4 in the body I. The stopping device II is therefore pivotable about the pin III. The rear end of the drawing bar l2 carries a bolt 15 which has the function of a glider, as will be explained later. The pin may be rotatable to reduce contact friction.

Acting in cooperation with the bolt 15 is an inclined surface in the form ofa flank 16 of an edge cutout l7 ofa rocker arm 18 which is pivoted at the end of the handle 2 at pin 19. so that in case of a clockwise swinging movement of the rocker arm 18, the edge cutout I7 moves in the pulling direction of the drawing bar 12 without the angle of flank I6 greatly changing in relation do the pulling direction of the drawing bar. The

rocker arm [8 has an edge 20 at the left of cutout 17 which extends roughly in the The direction of the drawing bar, the length of such edge 20 corresponding at least to the possible path of movement of this part of the rocker arm. n the other side of the cutout, the rocker arm has an extension 21 against which a pressure spring 22 acts to move the rocker arm to the left in the drawing. A tension spring 23 is attached to the rear end of the drawing bar 12, the other end of such tension spring 23 being firmly connected adjacent the lower end of the handle 2 to a device diagrammatically shown as an adjusting screw 24 serving to adjust the spring tension. The spring 23 draws the bolt 15 into the edge cutout 17 of the rocker arm. The spring tension, the direction of spring tension and the inclination of the flank 16 are so designed that the bolt is held in the edge cutout l7 until the desired tape tension has been reached, as will be shown later.

The front edge 25 of rocker arm 18 acts on a roll 26 on the hand lever 4. Movement of the hand lever in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 causes a corresponding movement of the rocker arm 18 to the right in the drawing and this also a corresponding movement of the drawing bar 12. Conversely, the spring 22 not only opposes movement of the rocker arm 18, but also urges the hand lever 4 back to the normal position of these parts (to the left in the drawing).

The movement of the drawing bar 12 to the right in the drawing is limited by a stop 27 rigidly attached to the tool body, which stop 27 engages the rear end 28 of the drawing bar. The stop 27 is provided with flange 29 which prevents lifting of the drawing bar when the drawing bar is in contact with the stop so that the bolt 15 cannot lift from the edge cutout 17 when the drawing bar engages the stop 27.

The hand lever 4 has a frontwardly directed extension 30 which is provided with a pin 31 which is adapted to engage the rear end 32 of an arm 34 pivotably supported at 33 from the tool body. The front end of arm 34 carries a cutting edge 35 and a punch 36 which are so arranged that on lifting of the front end of the arm 34, the punch 36 engages the pin 9 and pushes the same into the lock 6, while the cutting edge 35 then cuts off the free tape end behind the lock.

This movement of the arm 34 is positively actuated as soon as the hand lever exceeds the lifting limit set by the stop 27, the pin 3! of the lever extension 30 then acting upon the rear end 32 of the arm 34.

The lever 40 carries an abutment 41 on the surface facing the front of the tool. The abutment 41 is adapted for being contacted by the front part of the arm 34. On the drawing bar 12 is peg or pin 42 which cooperates with a spring 43 mounted on a bolt 44 firmly connected to the tool body such that the spring 43 pushes the drawing bar to its forward position, as shown in FIGS. I, 3 and 4.

The tool operates as follows:

After the tape end 8 has been wrapped around the cable harness 7 and has been led through the lock 6, it is inserted into the tool front where it is gripped by the stopping devices and 11 (FIG. 1). The hand lever 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. 1, which causes the drawing bar to be pulled back from the tool front and the tape end held by the stopping device 11 is put under tension. The lock 6 is in position in the support at the front of the tool during this tensioning process. The tensioning movement can be continued until the rear end of the drawing bar has reached the stop 27 (FIG. 2). Then the hand lever 4 is released and allowed to move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, the tape under tension being held by the stopping device 10. The tensioning movement of hand lever 4 is repeated until the bolt lifts out of the edge cutout 17 (FIG. 3) under the tension in the tape. Since the drawing bar [2 is now released from the rocker arm, it in combination with stop 27 can no longer prevent further movement of the rocker arm and thus of the hand lever. Upon such further movement of the hand lever 4 the pin 3] of the lever extension 30 now comes into contact with the arm 34 and upon further movement of the hand lever, the pin 9 is pushed into the lock 6 and the tape end 8 is cut off (FIG. 4).

However, after the drawing bar I2 is freed from the rocker arm 18, as shown in FIG. 3, the spring 43 displaces the drawing bar 12, thereby releasing the stopping device II. The stopping device I0 still holds the tape 8 in tension. The lengths of the punch 36 and of the cutting edge 35 of the arm 34 are such that during the closing and cutting operations, as shown in FIG. 4, the cutting edge 35 reaches tape 8, after the punch 36 has already urged the pin 9 into the lock 6. Thus tape 8 is secured in lock 6 prior to the cutting operation. During the upward movement of the forward end of arm 34 in the described operation, arm 34 contacts the abutment 41 of the stopping device 10, whereby the stopping device 10 is freed from tape 8. This setting free of the stopping device 10 takes place after pin 9 has already secured the tape 8 in lock 6, but before the cutting of tape 8 by the cutting edge 35. This prevents the cutting of the tape while the tape is under tension. Thereafter the lever 4 and the other parts of the tool move in the direction of arrow (FIG. 4) to return to their normal position, the bolt 15 falling back into the edge cutout 17. The tool is now ready for the next operation.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for tensioning a tape wrapped around an object and for connecting the ends of the tape and cutting off the sur plus when a preset tension has been reached in in the tape. said tool comprising lock means for connecting the tape ends, a displaceable hand lever having a given range of travel, means for gripping and tensioning the tape, cutting means operatively associated with the hand lever for being operated when the tape tension exceeds a predetermined value to cut the tape, coupling means between said hand lever and the gripping and tensioning means and having an engaged state to cause tensioning of the tape as the hand lever is displaced, and having a disengaged state at a predetermined tension in the tape, and stop means to limit displacement of the hand lever to a restricted portion of the range of travel of the hand lever with the coupling mans in an engaged state said hand lever being operatively positioned to activate the lock means and thereafter the cutting means only when the hand lever is beyond the restricted portion of the range of travel after the coupling means is in disengaged state.

2. A tool as claimed in claim I comprising means for releasing the gripping and tensioning means after the ends of the tape have been connected and before operation of the cutting means whereby the tape ends are cut when not under tension.

3. A tool as claimed in claim I, wherein said coupling means comprises an element with an inclined surface, a glide member engaging the inclined surface, and means applying the glide member against the inclined surface to prevent disengagement therefrom up to the predetermined tension in the tape.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means applying the glide member against the inclined surface comprises spring means.

5. A tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inclined sur face is constituted by an edge cutout in said element with an inclined flank, said glide member being received in said cu tout.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein said element is supported for movement and has an edge surface adjoining the cutout for receiving the glide member after the latter is removed from the cutout in the disengaged state of the coupling means.

7. A tool as claimed in claim 6, wherein said coupling means comprises a displaceable drawing bar on which said glider is secured, said gripping and tensioning means being actuated by said drawing bar, said stop means comprising a fixed abutment positioned to engage the drawing bar and limit movement thereof when the glider is in said cutout.

8. A tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein said abutment includes a flange overlying said glider when the latter in said cutout and the drawing bar is in engagement with said abutment to prevent removal of the glider from said cutout below the predetermined tension in the tape.

10. A tool as claimed in claim 9 comprising further spring means acting on said element with the cutout to resist movement thereof and urge the same and said hand lever therewith to an initial position from which movement of the hand lever produces tension in the tape. 

1. A tool for tensioning a tape wrapped around an object and for connecting the ends of the tape and cutting off the surplus when a preset tension has been reached in in the tape, said tool comprising lock means for connecting the tape ends, a displaceable hand lever having a given range of travel, means for gripping and tensioning the tape, cutting means operatively associated with the hand lever for being operated when the tape tension exceeds a predetermined value to cut the tape, coupling means between said hand lever and the gripping and tensioning means and having an engaged state to cause tensioning of the tape as the hand lever is displaced, and having a disengaged state at a predetermined tension in the tape, and stop means to limit displacement of the hand lever to a restricted portion of the range of travel of the hand lever with the coupling mans in an engaged state said hand lever being operatively positioned to activate the loCk means and thereafter the cutting means only when the hand lever is beyond the restricted portion of the range of travel after the coupling means is in disengaged state.
 2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for releasing the gripping and tensioning means after the ends of the tape have been connected and before operation of the cutting means whereby the tape ends are cut when not under tension.
 3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises an element with an inclined surface, a glide member engaging the inclined surface, and means applying the glide member against the inclined surface to prevent disengagement therefrom up to the predetermined tension in the tape.
 4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means applying the glide member against the inclined surface comprises spring means.
 5. A tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inclined surface is constituted by an edge cutout in said element with an inclined flank, said glide member being received in said cutout.
 6. A tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein said element is supported for movement and has an edge surface adjoining the cutout for receiving the glide member after the latter is removed from the cutout in the disengaged state of the coupling means.
 7. A tool as claimed in claim 6, wherein said coupling means comprises a displaceable drawing bar on which said glider is secured, said gripping and tensioning means being actuated by said drawing bar, said stop means comprising a fixed abutment positioned to engage the drawing bar and limit movement thereof when the glider is in said cutout.
 8. A tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein said abutment includes a flange overlying said glider when the latter in said cutout and the drawing bar is in engagement with said abutment to prevent removal of the glider from said cutout below the predetermined tension in the tape.
 9. A tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein said hand lever includes means engaging said element with the cutout such that with the glider in the cutout the hand lever is limited to the restricted portion of the range of its travel by contact of the drawing bar with said abutment.
 10. A tool as claimed in claim 9 comprising further spring means acting on said element with the cutout to resist movement thereof and urge the same and said hand lever therewith to an initial position from which movement of the hand lever produces tension in the tape. 